Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education
PSHE education gives pupils the knowledge, skills, and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy and safe and to prepare them for life and work in modern Britain. From making responsible decisions to succeeding in their first job, PSHE education helps pupils to manage many of the most critical opportunities, challenges and responsibilities they will face growing up.
Although schools are not required to teach PSHE, at Eastburn we feel this subject is crucial to the wellbeing of our pupils and our duties as a school. The Education Act 2002 requires all schools to teach a curriculum that is "broadly based, balanced and meets the needs of pupils". Schools must "promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society, and prepare pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life" while having a duty to keep pupils safe.
At Eastburn, we have adopted the Islington LA scheme of work to support our teaching of PSHE. The scheme is divided in to seven strands of learning:
Sex and relationship education
Drug, alcohol and tobacco education
Keeping safe and managing risk
Mental health and emotional wellbeing
Careers, financial capability and economic wellbeing
Identity, society and equality
We are very grateful to those parents who have been able to give us feedback on the content of the Islington scheme of work as part of a consultation process around the PSHE curriculum. We had some very positive feedback from parents: 'A great programme for all children to empower them with knowledge in all areas of their education and life' and ' I believe the new programme will benefit children across all classes. It will take away uncertainties and fears'.